Combined ozonation process and adsorption onto bentonite natural adsorbent for the o-cresol elimination

This work studies the removal of o-cresol from wastewater by using ozonation followed by adsorption onto sodium natural bentonite (Na-Bent). The degradation of o-cresol was followed by UV-Vis. During ozonation, 2-methylbenzoquinone (2-mBQ) and 2-methylhydroquinone (2-mHQ) were identified as two of the main by-products, while the pH decrease suggested the breakage of aromatic compounds into smaller organic acids. After 30 min treatment, the o-cresol degradation for 250–62.5 mg/L solutions was found between 64–85%, respectively. Next, the wastewater containing persistent o-cresol and by-products was contacted with Na-Bent adsorbent. The solutions and physicochemical properties of Na-Bent were analysed, before and after adsorption, by UV-Vis, FTIR, XRD and N2 adsorption-desorption. Moreover, equilibrium and kinetic experiments were carried out to study the adsorptive properties of the Na-Bent. While sole ozonation or adsorption failed on the remediation of o-cresol solutions, the obtained results show that the contact of ozonated solutions with Na-Bent led to almost total removal of the o-cresol initial concentrations (between 96% and 99%). This excellent performance is assigned to the high volume of interlayer micropores and the suitable surface chemistry of this natural adsorbent.